Type-writing machine.



No. 783,258. PATENTED JULY 7, 1903' L. G. NEFF.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 13, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATBNTED JULY '7 1903;

L. 0, NEFF. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

N0 MODEL.-

" I x ll 7 13 Of/f fi Patented July *7, 1905;

PATENT OFFICE,

Louis 0. NEFF, or BROOKLYN, New Yonii.

TYPE-WRl'l'ING MACHlN;

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 733,258, dated July 7, 1903.

Application filed April 18, 1902.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS O. NEFF, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, city of New York, countyr of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to type-writing machines, especially to the escapement mechanism thereof, and more particularly to a class of escapements comprising a carriagecontrolling mechanism consisting of a main-' spring or other means for feeding the carriage and a rack member or its equivalent and a detaining member and a spacing member adapted to successively engage said carriagecontrolling mechanism to intermittently release it to effect the spacing of the carriage with each depression of a key-lever.

That the nature and objects of my invention may be more fully understood I would state that there are three general types of this class of escapements, usually employing a single rack and a detaining and a spacingdog, although the specific mechanism varies indefinitelyto accommodate them to machines of different modelsfirst, wherein the spacing is effected immediately upon the disengagement of the rear dog; second, wherein the spacing is effected immediately upon the disengagement of the forward dog, and,lastly, wherein the spacing is effected in part immediately upon disengagement of the forward dog and completed immediately upon disenment of the rear dog. There is still another class wherein the spacing is gradually effected in part during the engagement of the rear dog and completed by the reengagement of the forward dog. Experience has demonstrated that the first type while satisfactory to operators of moderate speed does notmeet the requirements of high-speed operators, that the second type while meeting the requirements of high speed operators as to speed of escapement requires an even regular touch to insure a proper spacing of the letters, and, furthermore, as the keylever while being depressed is suddenly relieved from the pressure exerted by the mainspring of the carriage by the disengagement of the Serial No. 108,475. (No model.)

forward dog the touch is varying and very unsatisfactory. This type is unsuitable for other than high -speed operators having a regular and uniformly even touch. The third type, possessing as it does some of the individual characteristics of the two former types, also possesses to a limited extent their individual disadvantages. The other type referred to requires very fine adjustment to insure the proper engagement of the rear dog, and also as the carrier is oscillated to a variable extent by the different key-levers the spacing is initiated at different periods of the return of the type-bar. Hence the action is not uniform under all conditions, and a slow uneven touch results in a reaction on the key-lever and the finger commensurate with the weight of the carriage and the resistance of-the spring tension thereon.

The object of my invention, primarily, is to provide an escapement for a type-writing machine, wherein the platen-carriage will be held stationary under all conditions untilthe type has effected its imprint and dropped free of the paper and then be instantly released A further object is to provide an escapement wherein the initial spacing will be effected at a uniform period relative to that of the imprint, irrespective of the variance in the extent of the depression of the several key-levers.

A further object is to provide an escapement which while being adapted to all speeds of operators may be adjusted to a nicety as to the instant of release to meet the special demands of the individual operator. as to spring tensions throughout the machine.

A further object is to provide an escapement wherein the spacing and the detaining member will each be under the control of the other to insure a proper and uniform feed a ICC dogs may be mounted in close juxtaposition prior to the interval of spacing, but will draw apart while efiecting such spacing in a manner to facilitate the disengagement of the rack therefrom.

A further object is to provide means for actuating the vibratory member or rockerarm, whereby said member and the dogs carried thereby may be so adjusted as to remain and to hold the carriage stationary during the initial return of the type-bar, and also means whereby the throw of said member inay be regulated irrespective of the depression of the key-levers and universal bar.

The invention consists in providing an escapement for a type-writing machine comprising a spacing member adapted, in conjunction with a vibratory member actuated by the several key-levers, to maintain the platen-carriage stationary during the direct movement of said vibratory member and to be actuated instantly with the initial return movement of said member to permit the spacing of the carriage under the tension of its mainspring or other controlling mechanism, and other novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a slightly-enlarged rear elevation of the vibratory mechanism and detaining and spacing members carried thereby and cooperating therewith in a state of rest, the carriage and its mainspring and the means for actuating said vibratory member not being shown. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the position assumed by the various partsin effecting the spacing of the carriage, the actuating mechanism excepting the key-lever and universal bar being shown; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the auxiliary vibratory memberand the elements carried thereby, together with the actuating mechanism. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the escapement mechanism on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relation of the various elements when the escapement mechanism is at rest. Fig. 6 is a similar view when the vibratory member is at the end of the direct movement. Fig. 7 isa similar view showing the relation of the various elements at the instant of the reversal of the direction of movement of the vibratory member. Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of a modification of my invention wherein the engaging member and its pivotal support are integral and vibratory, and Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the modification shown in Fig. 8.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the accom panying drawings I have shown my inventionin a form suitable for use in connection with a well-known rack and ratchet-- wheel carriagecontrolling mechanism, and in the following description I will refer more particularly to this application of it; butthe invention is capable of adaptation to meet ent models of machines, and the details of construction will necessarily be varied to be applicable to the various models.

At A, I have shown a portion of the top plate of a type-writing machine and at B a rack, pinion, and ratchet-wheel mechanism ofwellknown construction, by means of which the movement of the carriage under the tension of its mainspring is controlled. The construction of this carriage, beingimmaterial to the invention, is not shownin detail. The carriage is held stationary normally and except during the interval of spacing by means of a detaining member a, which engages with the ratchet-wheel of the mechanism B. The construction and arrangement of this fly-dog a is well-known in the art. It is journaled in shoulders a a, of the carrier-arm O and is arranged to topple, under the influence of the spring (L in a direction opposite to that of the course of the ratchet-wheel to insure its reengagement therewith, such reengagement restoring it against the tension of said spring until it, and with it the wheel or rack and platen-carriage, is brought to a state of rest.

Hangers D D are pendent from the frame or top plate of the machine, and in these hangers are mounted the auxiliaryyibratory member 0, which causes the detaining and the spacing members, through the carrierarm U thereof, to successively engage the carriage-controlling mechanism as well as the main vibratory member E, which is actuated by the several key-levers and transmits motion therefrom to the auxiliary vibratory member O and thence to the carrier-arm O by a mechanism to be more fully described hereinafter. each depression of a key-lever by vibrating said carrier 0, the direct throw of which disengages the detaining member a from the carriage-controlling mechanism and transfers the pressure of the mainspring of the carriage to a spacing member. To insure a more uniform and even escapement, I provide a pivotal support 1), adapted, by engagement directly or through an interposed engaging member d, to sustain this pressure and to hold the carriage stationary during the entire direct throw of the said carrier member and to permit the spacing of the carriage instantly upon the initial return movement of said carrier. This support is provided with an abutment or projection Z), adapted to contact with a stop 0 to prevent the unseating of said support upon such direct movement of the carrier-arm only, said support being free to turn in the reverse direction to accomplish its unseat-ing. In the preferred form of my invention, (shown in Figs. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings,) such being readily applicable to both rack and wheel machines, I employ an independent engaging member (1, interposed between said support Z) and the ratchet-wheel or rack, one face of which mem ber engages the wheel, and a wear-face on The platen-carriage is spaced with which, as d comesinto frictional engagement with said pivotal support 1) to transmit thereto the pressure of the mainspring. The arrangement of the support 1), the engaging member d, the carriage-controlling mechanism B, and the stop a is such that said support under all conditions will hold the engaging member stationary through frictional contact of the said member during its engagement with the carriage-controlling mechanism and the pivotal support 6, and thus sustain the pressure of the mainspring upon the direct throw of the carrier 0 and hold the carriage stationary during this interval, which includes the making of the imprint. Immediately upon the reversal of the direction of travel of the said carrier 0 this same frictional contact serves to unseat said support,which swings upon its pivot, and through the agency of the interposed engaging member (Z permits the carriage to travel under the influence of its mainspringaletter-space or portion thereof. To restore the various parts to their normal position, I provide a spring 17 (torsional in the form shown,) which merely serves to normally maintain the projection b and stop a in engagement when the detaining member a reengages the carriage-controlling mechanism. A spring d serves to restore the engaging member d to its normal positionat this time also. To permit wear on the various contacting surfaces being taken up or differences due to adjustment of the various parts being compensated for, I preferably mount the pivotal support b and its stop 0 upon a plate 7a, which is attached to the machine by means of set-screws 7c, movable in elongated slot to permit the adjustment of said plate toward or away from the carriage-controlling mechanism.

The engaging member d of the spacing mechanism is mounted in close juxtaposition to the detaining member a upon an inclined fulcrum-pin carried by the carrier-arm 0. As this engaging member drops forward with the unseating of pivotal support I), the space between the members a and d is therefore gradually increased to facilitate the passage therefrom of the rack or wheel. A shoulder d limits the return movement of the engaging member (Z under control of its spring (I and insures alinement with the detaining member a, the customary drop being provided for to insure a more perfect action of these members. To prevent the escape of the wheel from the control of the engaging member (1, to insure a uniform feed of said member, to permit of a variation of feed of the spacing member when desired, and to insure a proper reengagement of the detaining member a with the carriage-controlling mechanism, I place each member under the control of the other by means of an adjustable stop 6, which is carried by one ofthem, as d, for convenience of access thereto and provided with an engaging head or shoulder,

which is adapted to engage the other member, as a.

The means whereby the detaining member a and engaging member dare caused to suecessively engage the carriagecontrolling mechanism comprises a main vibratory member E and an auxiliary vibratory member 0, provided, respectively, with substantially parallel arms E and having elongated openings therein, respectively. These arms are connected by a rigid link g, the upper end of which is attached to the arm (1 by means of a set-screw it, having an offset shoulder encompassed thereby to form a swivel connection, which screw is seated in the opening therein, and the lower portion of said link is formed into an elongated loop g,'which encompasses a set-screw h, seated in the opening in the arm E, said screw being also provided with an offset shoulder to form a swivel joint. The offset shoulder of the screw h, however, is substantially elliptical or eccentric and its greatest dimension is equal to that of both dimensions of the loop g. The opposite sides of said loop g are substantially parallel, so that when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the elliptical or eccentric shoulder being indicated in dotted lines, there will be sufficient slack in said loop to permit a movement of the main vibratory member E independently of that of the auxiliary vibratory member 0 at the beginning of the return throw of the former, thus providing for a brief interval of inactivity or rest of the latter upon the reversal of the movement of the former simultaneous with the initial return of the type-bar. This independent movement may be regulated by turning the set-screw h, the elliptical or ec-' centric shoulder thereon acting as a take-up to vary the slack in the loop 9 to a point where such will be entirely occupied to cause both members to move throughout in unison. The relative throw of the vibratory members may also be regulated by shifting the respective set-screws h h in the slots in the arms C and E to narrow or increase the distance between said arms, so as to increase or diminish the leverage at which said arms act. In the form of machine herein shown motion is imparted to the vibratory members by means of the cross-rod F, connecting-links G, and universal bar H, which passes under and is actuated by the several key-levers, one of which is shown at K.

To permit the proper adjustment of the stop 0 in assembling the machine or to take up wear, I provide same with means of adjustment, as the set-screw c. a

To obtain greater speed in exceptional cases, I provide for the partial unseating of the support 1) during the direct throw of the carrier 0 by the impact of the buffer-facef, carried by the buffer-spur f, with the projection I). When the slack in the loop g is entirely taken up and light spring tensions are IIO used, there will be a tendency on the part of the carrier 0 to continue the direct movement through acquired momentum subsequently to the instant of imprint. To insure the unseating of the said support at the desired instant, the buffer-face f is made adjustable in order that the instant of impact may be regulated. Under normal spring tensions the frictional contact of the carriagecontrolling mechanism with the spacing member will suffice to prevent such additional movement, and this movement may also be prevented by means of the rocker-arm buffer now generally used. The adjustable bufier 15 f is, provided merely to meet the demands of special conditions when it is desired to take advantage of this additional movement through momentum, either to enable the use of lighter tensions or to increase the ease of manipulation of the keys or other reasons.

The return movement of the vibratory members is accomplished by means of the spring M acting upon the main vibratory member E, said spring being adjustable.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the construction and mode of operation are substantially as in the hereinbefore-described form of the invention. To emphasize the analogy and to more clearly indicate the corresponding parts in the two forms, the same reference letters with difierent exponents, however, are used to designate similar parts. The detaining member a and the plate 71: carrying the pivotal support 19 and the engaging member d", mounted thereon or made integral therewith, are both mounted upon and movable with the rocker-arm O. The adjustable stop 0 is also carried by and movable with said rocker-arm in order to preserve the proper relation thereof to the abutment or projection b on said pivotalsupport. The spring b acting upon said pivotal support to normally maintain the projection Z) in contact with the stop 0 is preferably so secured to a set-screw, as I), as to admit of the regulation of the tension of said spring by means of said screw. The plate k is provided with an elongated slot or slots, as is the plate 7c in the preferred form, and is secured to the rocker-arm by means of the screw k to permit of the adjustment of the plate to take up wear. The adjustable stop f which is mounted upon a relatively stationary part of the type-writing-machine frame in a position to have the abutment or projection 1) contact therewith at the'end of the direct throw of the rocker-arm, corresponds in function with the vibratory bufferf in the preferred form. To limit the feed ofthe carriage through the engaging member d and to insure the alinement of the detaining member with the succeeding wheel or rack space in' this form of the invention, I provide an offset portion on the said detaining member carrying an adjustable contact 6', with which the abutment Z) contacts toward the end of the feed. These parts insure a mode of optacts with the paper on the platen.

eration analogous to that resulting from the use of the abutment e of the preferred form of invention, the adjustability of the contact e permitting a regulation of the amount of feed of the engaging member cl. It is necessary that the radius of the support 5 be such as to admit of the detaining and the engaging members being placed so close together as to prevent the wheel or rack teeth passing therebetween and yet give the latter clearance of the former during the spacing interval. It is also necessary in this form that the said engaging member shall present only a single point of contact to the rack or wheel tooth to overcome any back thrust thereon when the pivotal support rotates.

The operation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, is as follows: Upon the depression of a key-lever K the universal bar H is depressed thereby until the type con- The universal bar through the connection-wires G and cross-bar F, attached to the arm E of the vibratory member E, actuates the said member against the tension of the spring M, a corresponding movement being transmitted through the link g, which is free to swivel at its points of attachment to admit of such movement to the auxiliary vibratory member C. To adapt the machine and escapement to operators who donot release the keypromptly, slack is permitted in the loop g, thus rendering the main vibratory member E capable of slight return movement independentlyof and prior to transmitting such movement to the auxiliary member. This slight independent movement is sufficient to permit the type to drop free of the paper, and as the auxiliary vibratory member returns under the control of the said main vibratory member subsequently to this period the spacing is effected. If it is desired to vary the maximum throw of the auxiliary vibratory member 0, the link g may be shifted by means of the set-screws h hf to increase or diminish the leverage at which either of the vibratory members works relative to the other. The extent of the independent movement of the main vibratory member may also be regulated by means of the elliptical or eccentric portion of the screw h, which takes up slack in the loop g, and thus limits said movement proportionately. The carriage-controll-ing mechanism 13, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5, is normally engaged by the detaining member a, which is mounted on the carrier 0 and held stationary by the abutments a 0 During the engagement of the detaining member a the abutment or projection Z) on the pivotal support I) under the influence of the spring Z2 is maintained in contact with the stop 0.

engaging member (Z with said controlling mechanism and said support, respectively. The relation of the several elements during this action is illustrated in Fig. 6. The pressure exerted on said support merely maintains the relation between the projection b and the stop 0 during the entire direct movement of said engaging member, thus maintaining the carriage stationary. Instantly upon the initial return movement of the vibratory member 0, however, the direction of the force of said pressure upon said support is reversed, and as it is free to rotate in the opposite direction it will be unseated, and as the parts instantly assume the position indicated in Fig.7 the carriage will be permitted by said engaging member to feed forward. As the detainiugmember CLlS disengaged from the carriage-controlling mechanism 13 it topples backward under the influence of the spring a preparatory to reengaging said mechanism at the next tooth in the wellknown manner. As the engaging member (1 upon theinitial return movement of the auxiliary vibratory member or carrier drops forward'the enlarged head of the stop 6 engages said member a, (see Fig. 7,) causing it to move in unison with the engaging member until it engages the abutments a Owing to the adjustability of the said stop 6, the distance traversed by said engaging member may be so regulated as to space the carriage either a full space at this period or a part space only. The engaging member (Z being mounted on an inclined fulcrumpin, as it drops forward the upper portion thereofpasses gradually away from the detaining member, which admits of a construction wherein the dogs may be in close juxtaposition to facilitate the engagement of the engaging member and the carriage-controlling mechanism and wherein the said members will be spaced slightly apart at a period to facilitate the disengagement of said member and said mechanism. If the wear or the adjustment of the machine results in too great a drop from the detaining member to the spacing member, such may be compensated for by resetting the plate In, upon which the pivotal support is mounted.

The operation of the form shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is substantially like that of the preferred form in all essentials. As the vibratory member is actuated by the several keylevers the detaining member a is disengaged from the carriage-controlling mechanism,and the pressure of the mainspring thereof is transferred to the pivotal support by the engagement of the engaging member d with thesaid carriage-controlling mechanism. The direction of pressure on said support during the direct throw of the rocker-arm is such as to hold the abutment or projection b in continuous engagement with the stop 0 Upon the initial return movement thereof, however, the direction of this pressure is reversed, and the said abutment swings away from said stop until it encounters the contact e and forces the detaining member forward to aline with the nextrack or wheel space.

It willbe observed that the hereinbeforedescribed invention results in a mechanism wherein the spacing of the carriage is effected at a uniform period and that immediately after the imprint of the type and practically simultaneously with the initial return of the vibratory members; wherein a shading or duplication of the said imprint is impossible from a hesitating or double blow or a tendency to not release the key promptly, as the spacing will not be accomplished until the key has been actually released; wherein the her actuating the spacing member; that is adapted to the needs of all speeds of operators, inasmuch as it does not space until the imprint is made irrespective of the style of touch of the operator, but spaces immediately after such imprint, thus enabling a low or moderate speed operator to use a machine having a high-speed escapement; that inasmuch as the spacing Will be effected upon the initial return movement of the vibratory member the spacing member will be relieved to a great extent from the pressure exerted by the carriage-spring and the resulting friction and the spring tension required to return said vibratory member will be reduced to a minimum, with a resulting increase in the lightness of touch, and that may also be so adjusted as to meet the requirements of the individual operator.

It. is not my intention to limit my invention to the precise construction herein shown and described, as it is obvious that it may be applied without material modification to all types of machines. If desired, the engaging member and its pivotal support may be made integral and vibratory instead of employing an interposed independent member, as herein shown and described; but the latter in practice has been found preferable, as it is applicable to both rack and wheel machines and capable of a more substantial structure and greater latitude in effecting the disengagement of the spacing member fromthe rack or ratchet mechanism. whether the rack or said members are vibratory. The spirit of my invention residesin a member of an escapement mechanism adapted to sustain the pressure of the mainspring during the direct throw of a vibratory memher and to permit the spacing of the carriage either in full or in part immediately upon the initial return throw of said member, and it is my intention to claim such broadly.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is I 1. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-con- It is immaterial trolling mechanism, a detaining member, a pivotal support, a vibratory member adapted to be actuated by the several key-levers whereby pressure from said carriage-controlling mechanism is transferred from said detaining member and applied to said support in opposite directions alternately, and means whereby movement of said support under such pressure is, during the direct movement of said vibratory member, prevented to maintain the carriage stationary, said support being free to be swung upon its pivot instantly upon the initial return movement thereof by the resulting reversal of the direction of pressure thereon, to permit the spacing of the carriage.

2. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, a spacing member, a vibratory member adapted to be actuated by the several keylevers whereby pressure from said carriage-controlling mechanism is transferred from said detaining member and applied to said spacing member in opposite directions alternately, and means whereby movement of said spacing member under such pressure is, during the direct movement of said vibratory member, prevented to maintain the carriage stationary, said spacing member being free to move instantly upon the initial return movement thereof under the resulting reversed direction of pressure thereon, to permit the spacing of the carriage.

3. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriagecontrolling mechanism, a detaining member, spacing means consisting of a pivotal support and an engaging member adapted to be controlled by said support and to engage said carriage-controlling mechanism, means adapted to be actuated by the several key-levers whereby said detaining and said engaging members are caused to successively engagev said carriage-controlling mechanism to transfer the pressure therefrom from said detaining member to said engaging member and apply it to said support in opposite directions alternately and a stop whereby movement of said support under such pressure is, during the direct movement of said vibratory member, prevented to maintain the carriage stationary, said support being free to be swung upon its pivot instantly upon the initial return movement thereof by the resulting reversal of the direction of said pressure thereon, to permit the spacing of the carriage.

4. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, spacing means consisting of a pivotal support and an engaging member adapted to be controlled by said support and to engage said carriage-controlling mechanism,means adapted to be actuated by the several key-levers whereby said detaining and said engaging members are caused to successively engage said carriage-controlling mechanism to transfer the pressure therefrom from said detaining member to said engaging member and ap ply it to said support in opposite directions alternately, a stop whereby movement of said support under such pressure is, during the direct movement of said vibratory member, prevented to maintain the carriage stationary, said support being free to be swung upon its pivot instantly upon the initial return movement thereof by the resulting reversal of the direction of said pressure thereon, to permit the spacing of the carriage, and means whereby said support is restored to its normal position when said engaging member is disengaged from said carriage-controlling mechanism.

5. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, spacing means consisting of a pivotal support and an engaging member adapted to be controlled by said support and to engage said carriage-controlling mechanism,means adapted to be actuated by'the several key-levers whereby said detaining and said engaging members are caused to successively engage said carriage-controlling mechanism to transfer the pressure therefrom from said detaining member to said engaging member and apply it to said support in opposite directions alternately and an adjustable stop whereby movement of said support under such pressure is, during the direct movement of said vibratory member, prevented to maintain the carriage stationary, said support being free to be swung upon its pivot instantly upon the initial return movement thereof by the resulting reversal of the direction of said pressure thereon, to permit the spacing of the carriage.

6. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism, comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, spacing means consisting of an adjustable plate, a pivotal support mounted thereon, a stop whereby the movement of said support in one direction is limited, an engaging member adapted to be controlled by said support and to engage said controlling mechanism and means whereby said support is restored to its normal position when said engaging member is disengaged from said controlling mechanism, and means adapted to be actuated by the several key-levers whereby said detaining and engaging members are caused to suecessively engage said controlling mechanism, said engaging member while in contact with said controlling mechanism during the direct movement of said means being adapted under the control of said support to maintain the carriage stationary,and immediately upon the initial return movement thereof to permit the spacing of the carriage.

7. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a vibratory member, a detaining member and an engaging member carried thereby, said vibratory member being adapted to be actuated by the several keylevers to cause said detaining and said engaging member to successively engage said carriage-controlling mechanism, a pivotal support for said engaging member, a stop whereby movement of said support in one direction is limited, and means whereby said support is restored to its normal posit-ion when said engaging member is disengaged from said controlling mechanism, the pressure from said carriage-controlling mechanism being applied by said engaging member to said support in a direction to maintain said support in contact with said stop and thus hold the carriage stationary during the direct movement of said vibratory member, and immediately upon the initial return movement thereof, in the reverse direction to rotate said support away from said stop to permit the spacing of the carriage.

8. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a vibratory member, a detaining and an engaging member carried thereby, said engaging memberbeing so fitted in relation to said detaining member as to be normally in close juxtaposition thereto and to increase the distance therefrom during the spacing interval, said vibratory member being adapted to be actuated by the several keylevers to cause said detaining and said engaging member to successively engage said controlling mechanism, a pivotal support for said engaging member, a stop whereby movement of said support in one direction is limited, and means whereby said support is restored to its normal position when said engaging member is disengaged from said carriage-controlling mechanism, the pressure from said carriage-controlling member being applied by said engaging member to said support in a direction to maintain said support in contact with said stop and thus hold the carriage stationary during the direct movement of said vibratory member, and immediately upon the initial return movement thereof, in the reverse direction to rotate said support away from said stop to permit the spacing of the carriage.

9. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism, comprisinga carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, spacing means consisting of a pivotal support and an engaging member adapted to be controlled by said support and to engage said controlling mechanism, means adapted to be actuated by the several key-levers whereby said detainin and said engaging members are caused to successively engage said controlling mechanism, said engaging member while in contact with said controlling mechanism during the direct movement of said means being adapted under the control of said support to maintain the carriage stationary, and immediately upon the initial return movement thereof to permit the spacing of said carriage, said engaging member being mounted upon an inclined fulcrum-pin whereby it is adapted to be fitted normally in close juxtaposition to said detaining member and. to increase the space between them during the spacing interval, whereby the disengagement of said engaging member from said controlling mechanism is facilitated.

10. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, a spacing member, means whereby said members are caused to successively engage said controlling mechanism, and an offset abutment carried by one of said members and adapted to engage the other toward the end of the spacing interval whereby the length of feed of the spacing member is regulated and the detaining member is brought forward to facilitate its rengagement with the carriagecontrolling mechanism.

11. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, a spacing member, means whereby said members are caused to successively engage said controlling mechanism, and an adjustable offset abutment carried by one of said members and adapted to engage the other toward the end ofthespacinginterval whereby thelength of feed of the spacing member is regulated and the detaining member is brought forward to facilitate its reengagement with the carriage-controlling mechanism.

12. In a type-writing machine, an escapementmechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, a spacing member, means whereby said members are caused to successively engage said controlling mechanism and a stop having an enlarged head and a screw-threaded shank, carried by one of said members and adapted to engage the other toward the end of the spacing interval whereby the length of feed of the spacing member is regulated and'thedetaining member is brought forward to facilitate its ree'ngagement with the carriagecontrolling mechanism.

13. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, a

spacing member and means whereby said members are caused to successively engage said controllingmechanismcomprisingamain vibratory member adapted to be actuated by the several key-levers, an auxiliary vibratory member adapted to actuate said detaining and spacing members to cause them to successively engage said controlling mechanism, and a connection between said vibratory members whereby motion is transmitted from one to the other comprising a link, a swiveled connection between said link and said auxiliary member, a similar connection between said link and said main member comprising an elongated loop encompassing a take-up member carried by said member, whereby movement of one member independently of that of the other is permitted and the extent of such movement is regulated.

14. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a cz'trriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, a spacing member, and means whereby said members are caused to successively engage said controllingmechanismcomprisingamain vibratory member adapted to be actuated by the several key-levers, an auxiliary vibratory member adapted to actuate said detaining and spacing members to cause them to suecessively engage said controlling mechanism, a connection between said vibratory members whereby motion is transmitted from one to the other and means comprising a link attached to said members by means of set-screws whereby it may be adjusted toward or away from the respective axes thereof to regulate the comparative relative movement of said members.

15. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-coir trolling mechanism, a detaining member, spacing means consisting of a pivotal support and an engaging member adapted to be controlled by said support and to engage said carriage-controlling mechanism, means adapted to be actuated by the several keylevers whereby said detaining and said engaging members are caused to successively engage said carriage-controlling mechanism to transfer the pressure therefrom from said detaining member to said engaging member and apply it to said support in opposite directions alternately, a stop whereby movement of said support under such pressure is, during the direct movement of said vibratory member, prevented to maintain the carriage stationary, said support being free to be swung upon its pivot instantly upon the initial return movement thereof by the resulting reversal of the direction of said pressure thereon, to permit the spacing of the carriage, means whereby said support is restored to its normal position when said engaging member is disengaged from said carriage-controlling mechanism, and means whereby positive force at the end of the direct movement of said vibratory member may be used to insure the initial unseating of said support.

16. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, spacing means consisting of a pivotal support and an engaging member adapted to be controlled by said support and to engage said carriage-controllin g mechanism, means adapted to be actuated by the several key-levers whereby said detaining and said engaging members are caused to successively engage e vsazse said carriage-controlling mechanism to trans fer the pressure therefrom from said detaining member to said engaging member and apply it to said support in opposite directions alternately, a stop whereby movement of said support under such pressure is, during the direct movement of said vibratory member, prevented to maintain the carriage stationary, said support being free to be swung upon its pivot instantly upon the initial return movement thereof by the resulting reversal of the direction of said pressure thereon, to permit the spacing of the carriage, means whereby said support is restored to its normal position when said engaging member is disengaged from said carriage-controlling mechanism,

and a bulfer carried by said vibratory member and adapted to contact with said support whereby positive force at the end of the direct movement of said vibratory member may be used to insure the initial unseating of said support.

17. In a type-writing machine, an escapement mechanism comprising a carriage-controlling mechanism, a detaining member, spacing means consisting of a pivotal support and an engaging member adapted to be controlled by said support and to engage said carriage-controlling mechanism, means adapted to be actuated by the several key levers whereby said detaining and said engaging members are caused to successively engage said carriage-controlling mechanism to transfer the pressure therefrom from said detaining member to said engaging member and apply it to said sup-port in opposite directions alternately, a stop whereby movement of said support under such pressure is, during the direct movement of said vibratory member, prevented to maintain the carriage stationary, said support being free to be swung upon its pivot instantly upon the initial return movement thereof by the resulting reversal of the direction of said pressure thereon, to permit the spacing of the carriage, means whereby said support is restored to its normal position when said engaging member is disengaged from said carriage-controlling mechanism, and an adjustable buffer carried by said vibratory member and adapted to contact with said support whereby positive force at the end of the direct movement of said vibratory member may be used to insure the initial unseating of said support.

In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature, this 16th day of April, 1902, in the presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS C. NEFF.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM E. DEANE, FRANK P. WENTWORTH.

IOC

IIO

III 

